Hepatitis B vaccine: Coverage and factors relating to its acceptance among health care workers of a tertiary care center in North India

Abstract

Hepatitis B vaccine: Coverage and factors relating to its acceptance among health care workers of a tertiary care center in North IndiaBackground: Hepatitis B infection is the major cause of acute and chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma worldwide and has long been recognized as an occupational hazard among health care workers. Thus, this study was planned to evaluate the coverage of hepatitis B vaccine and to study occupational, epidemiologic, and attitudinal factors in its acceptance among health care workers in a tertiary care hospital. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among HCWs of MM Institute of Medical sciences and Research, Mullana. A total of 600 health care workers were selected for the study by simple random sampling method. A self designed, semi-structured interview schedule was used to collect data from the participants by interview method. Data on demographic, behavioral, and occupational exposure aspects were also collected. Results: The overall prevalence of hepatitis B vaccination acceptance was 60%. Only 40% of the health workers had received the full three dose vaccination schedule while 20% had received one or two doses, and 40% were unvaccinated. Protection against hepatitis B was cited the most common (54%) reason for taking this vaccine. The most important reasons for not taking the vaccine were negligence (41.6%), whereas the commonest (45%) ground cited for not taking the recommended number of dosage was the lack of knowledge about the total number of doses to be taken for full protection. On multiple logistic regression, vaccine safety (AOR = 6.57, 95% CI = 2.64-16.04) followed by history of exposure to blood (AOR = 5.21, 95% CI = 1.81-16.16) and acceptable knowledge about the disease (AOR = 4.76, 95% CI = 1.13-11.45) were identifi ed as reasons for acceptance of the vaccine. Conclusions: Coverage of complete immunization was low among health care workers. Level of knowledge regarding the disease was also not satisfactory. Education programs should focus on increasing healthcare workers' perceived severity to occupational exposure to hepatitis B virus and emphasize the safety and effectiveness of the hepatitis B vaccine. Vaccines should be made available free and mandatory in health organizations. Key words: Acceptance, health care workers, hepatitis B vaccinationOriginal Article INTRODUCTIONHepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a serious global health problem. Globally, at least two billion people are estimated to have the infection, resulting in over 350 million cases of chronic infection and more than two million deaths annually.[1] It is the tenth leading cause of death worldwide. [1] In India, prevalence of HBsAg among the general population varies from 2% to 8%, which places India in an intermediate HBV endemicity zone. India with 50 million cases is also the second largest global pool of chronic HBV infection. [2] Since contact with body fl uid of an infected person, especially infected blood, is one of the principal modes of t...

Hepatitis B Vaccination among Primary Health Care Workers in Northwest Pakistan

“…(25) We found that HCWs who perceived the threat of getting bloodborne infections including hepatitis B at workplace were more likely to receive complete doses of hepatitis B vaccination as compared to those who had no perception of getting blood borne infection while at work. To the best of our knowledge no study has investigated this association among primary health care workers however the finding is consistent with studies from tertiary care hospitals in North India (20) and Republic of Georgia. (27) Also, the odds of hepatitis B vaccination were higher among HCWs with perceived benefits of hepatitis B vaccination as compared to the HCWs who lack perception regarding the benefits of Hepatitis B vaccination against preventing hepatitis B infection.…”

“…However, this association disappeared at the multivariable level. Possible explanation for this inverse association between age and vaccination at the univariate level could be the result of higher acceptability of hepatitis B vaccination among younger HCWs as also observed in India (20) and Brazil. (21) Also, in Pakistan some paramedical, nursing and medical schools of the private sector have recently introduced hepatitis B vaccination for the new entrants which might have resulted in higher vaccination rates among younger HCWs as compared to those aged 60 years and above.…”

“…We did not find any study from primary or tertiary care setting which could have assessed the association between previous exposure to needle stick injuries and hepatitis B vaccination. However, a study among student nurses at a tertiary care hospital in Baluchistan Pakistan (24) and a study among HCWs at a tertiary care hospital in North India (20) reported higher acceptability of hepatitis B vaccine among those with a previous history of accidental exposure to blood or blood products. Our finding is not consistent with the given literature.…”

A study of knowledge and practice regarding Hepatitis B among nursing students attending tertiary care hospitals in Agartala city

“…The reason mainly asserted for not being vaccinated was found to be negligence among physiotherapy students and lab technicians whereas dental and nursing students have forgotten to take vaccine. 41 In other study 56 the reason for being not vaccinated was also found to be negligence. The present study revealed that majority of them recapped needles after use, had accidental needle prick injuries, tested for hepatitis B virus infection after injuries; and consulted and treated by doctor amongst the positive participants till the time of survey.…”

Healthcare Waste Management: Qualitative and Quantitative Appraisal of Nurses in a Tertiary Care Hospital of India

“…Such policy decisions do have a positive impact on work efficiency of nurses by creating a sense of being protected. Lower level of hepatitis B vaccination among nurses was reported from studies conducted in Greece (63.25%) [18], Iran (89.6%) [19], South Africa (68%) [20], and India (44.8%) [21]. …”